By: Macy Janine Pamaranglas – Art in Tanzania Intern
Introduction
Climate change has always been a topic of concern mainly because a lack of climate action can not only lead to environmental damage. Still, it can also lead to human rights violations. According to the 2022 Ibrahim Forum Report, food insecurity has affected 800 million people in the African continent, and 281.6 million individuals are undernourished. Hence, it is of great importance to prioritize climate mitigation and adaptation to protect fundamental human rights.
Although Africa is not one of the most significant contributors of greenhouse gas emissions (with emissions of roughly 4%), it is the most affected by climate change; “the rate of Africa’s warming is 1.5 times faster than the global warming average”. This makes the continent vulnerable to erratic rainfall, extreme drought, desertification, and frequent flooding. As a result of unfortunate occurrences, problems such as human displacement, food insecurity, and the spread of illnesses become inevitable.
Case Studies
Geographically speaking, Zimbabwe is a country that has “limited water resources”. With the worsening climate issue, water scarcity has a severe impact on the government. Thus, locals often resort to using untreated or unsafe water resources. Drinking unpotable water is a health risk since it can result in various diseases such as hepatitis E, cholera, diarrhoea and parasitic diseases. In fact, between 2008 and 2009, a mass cholera outbreak occurred, and the simultaneous drought and inconsistent weather patterns exacerbated the situation.
Consequently, people migrate to escape the worsening situation in the country. Migration brings about several other predicaments for the locals. For instance, no assurance exists regarding food, water, or shelter. Education is interrupted by the constant fleeing, and socio-economic problems such as sexual abuse, violence, and discrimination become pertinent. Indeed, climate change has devastating effects on human rights, as one violation often leads to another, creating a domino effect.
In the Sahel region, fishing and agriculture are the primary sources of livelihood. With climate change, people’s sources of living are significantly impacted. Studies have predicted Mali’s agricultural capacity may decline by 30 to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, in Senegal, fishing stocks are expected to decrease by 80 per cent.
Additionally, it is essential to note that the level of vulnerability increases in the context of existing political-economic tensions. For instance, Niger and South Sudan are suffering from ongoing problems with Boko Haram and civil war, respectively. Therefore, these people carry such a heavy burden that enjoying their fundamental human rights becomes far-fetched.
Efforts
Several efforts have been executed to limit the devastating impact of climate change, including the #GreenJusticeAfrica initiative. The latter campaign “focuses on the impact of climate change in Africa, through the lens of the existing degeneration of the fulfilment of the human rights of the most vulnerable.” In addition, the infamous Paris Agreement tackled climate change “as an urgent and serious threat to humankind”. It establishes a universal rule that all countries signed this agreement by limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
Conclusion
In conclusion, climate action should be prioritised in both the public and private spheres, as it is essential to do so because it hurts the environment as a whole and affects our human rights. It is not merely about protecting the present generation, but also about preserving future generations. Let us save Mother Earth before it’s too late!
Sources
Addaney, M., Boshoff, E., & Olutola, B. (2017). THE CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN RIGHTS NEXUS IN AFRICA. Amsterdam Law Forum. Retrieved December 8, 2022, from https://amsterdamlawforum.org/articles/10.37974/ALF.304/
Khumalo, S. (n.d.). #greenjusticeafrica: The impact of climate change on the protection and fulfilment of human rights in Africa. Home – Centre for Human Rights. Retrieved December 8, 2022, from https://www.chr.up.ac.za/campaigns/greenjusticeafrica
Nonjinge, G. (2022, November 2). Climate change adaptation in Africa: A human rights perspective. PreventionWeb. Retrieved December 8, 2022, from https://www.preventionweb.net/news/climate-change-adaptation-africa-human-rights-perspective
Report: How climate change affects the human rights of sahel region migrants. OHCHR. (2021, November 11). Retrieved December 8, 2022, from https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2021/11/report-how-climate-change-affects-human-rights-sahel-region-migrants
